THE LATEST AT LW

Last week the team headed to Atlanta for Super Bowl week. What made this trip to the Super Bowl different from years past, was how Founder, Lauren Walsh, decided to have the team approach the week. This year, the team acted intentionally. Networking intentionally, acting intentionally, and managing the time spent with people and at certain events intentionally. Overall, the main goal of last week was to only commit to doing things that added value to our team members and our business. While working in the sports industry may seem like all fun and games, our team knows the importance of connecting with those who share in our values and mission.

Lauren discusses all of this and more in this weeks podcast. She recaps how the team decided which events to attend, and which events not to attend, as well as how being strategic while networking will save you time and energy in the long run.​​Listen NOW on SoundCloudAlso available on iTunes

On this episode of the LW Podcast, Lauren and Director of MLB, Matt Morrison, talk about trusting the process when it is the last thing you want to do. From keeping the faith, to making sure you learn something from every experience, these two navigate trusting the process on your journey to that dream career. Lauren and Matt share their story of finding a path to LW, while also getting real on how they dealt with the journey when they wanted to give up.

​This last year, our very own client, Darius Philon, donated 15 thousand dollars worth of tablets to youth in his hometown of Mobile, Alabama. Darius has always made it a point to give back to his community. Specifically, Darius is a strong believer in enriching the educational experience for all youth, which is why he decided to donate the tablets. Please join us during Super Bowl weekend in Atlanta, to congratulate Darius and other NFL stars for their philanthropic achievements.

The Super Bowl Brunch Awards is being hosted by Champions for Philanthropy and the LW team. If you’re interested in showing your support for these great guys and their amazing projects, check out the MVP awards brunch being held at the famous Estate in Buckhead.

On this episode of the LW podcast, Lauren and Rachel provide us insights on how to effectively manage your time. More importantly, how to manage your time with intent in what you do. Lauren and Rachel talk us through their experiences with figuring out how to do this, as well as the difficult task of deciding what is worth your time.

Lauren and Rachel talked about Jennie Allen's book, "Nothing To Prove", which is available on Amazon.

On this episode of the LW Branding podcast, Lauren talks about the 5 key action items you can take to change your life. Lauren shares stories that navigate us through how these actions have worked for her, while also explaining why these 5 areas are so important to change. From taking an inventory of the people in your life, to a discussion of why you don't need to hustle to be successful, Lauren shares simple habits anyone can implement in order to take you and your goals to the next level. ​​New episodes out every Monday!

The idea for LW Branding came to me as I was mentoring athletes at my Alma mater, Purdue University. Since then, mentorship has always been something I have been passionate about and made time for. When I first started LW Branding, I would get emails every once in awhile from aspiring young professionals who wanted to know how I got to where I was. At first, it was easy to get to them all, but now, as our company continues to grow, finding the time to answer all the questions I receive has not been an easy task.

With my passion for mentorship not disappearing as fast as my available time was, I wanted to start a project that allowed me to continue to mentor while also servicing others who may have the same questions. So, I made it one of my goals in 2019 to start a podcast that accomplished this mission.

My team and I started 2019 with a lot of goals that some may say are out of reach for us. We let that fuel add to our fire, and are here to say we are already crushing some of our goals with the launch of this podcast. I hope to empower and inspire all those who may be trying to break into the sports industry, colleagues, entrepreneurs, girl bosses, and fellow mama bosses who may be tackling the balancing act of having a career and raising a child. I hope my words speak to you in one way or another.

The LW podcast will feature a variety of conversations. Interviews with young professionals seeking guidance, people who have already broken into the the sports industry, other momrepreneurs, and of course, I will be sharing my personal experiences, successes and failures. My goal is to be a resource for those who need some guidance, and a source of encouragement to push everyone to their full potential and achieve their biggest goals.

Most importantly, I want to hear from my listeners. If there is a topic you'd like to hear myself or my team discuss, or you'd like to interview me on the podcast, please reach outand let me know your idea!

Our first episode officially launched on Monday, and we could not be more proud. I talk about the important steps towards goal setting. We're only a few days into the new year so it's not to late to set those goals if you haven't gotten around to it.

New episodes out every Monday. Happy 2019. May this be the year that you chase those dreams or finally do that one thing you've been talking about.

The Chargers are moving on to the divisional round of the AFC playoffs to face the Patriots.

It seemed like Los Angeles was in control after leading 20-3, but the Ravens managed to bounce back after putting up 14 points in less than 10 minutes. The Bolts survived the rally on the last drive when linebacker Uchenna Nwosu stripped the ball from quarterback Lamar Jackson to seal the deal.

Safety Adrian Phillips came up clutch by possessing both of their turnovers. The first one was a fumble recovery, forced by defensive end Melvin Ingram. The second one was an interception, tipped by cornerback Casey Hayward.

Key Stat

The six sacks today were the most in a playoff game by a Chargers team since the 1992 postseason.

Quick Takes

The defensive line came to play, sacking Lamar Jackson seven times. Melvin Ingram led the pack with two, along with two tackles for loss. The unit limited the Ravens’ rushing attack to 90 yards total.

The offensive line looked much improved from the two team’s previous meeting. Quarterback Philip Rivers was only sacked once, and was kept clean for the majority of the game. They struggled in run blocking, allowing Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler to run for 69 yards on 28 carries.

Adrian Phillips may have been the MVP of this game. Phillips took on the role of the team’s linebacker when they went into their nickel and dime packages. Whether it was against the run or defending the pass, Phillips seemed to always be around the ball.

Michael Badgley scored 15 of the team’s 23 points after going 5 for 6, including a 53-yard field goal. He surpassed franchise’s single-game postseason record held by Nate Kaeding, who was 4-for-4 in the 2007 AFC Championship Game at the Patriots.

Philip Rivers didn’t pass 200 yards passing, but his receivers came in at big moments, which include Mike Williams’ 28-yard grab that led to a touchdown by Melvin Gordon.

What’s Next?​The Chargers travel to New England to take on the Patriots in the AFC Divisional Playoff round. Kickoff from Gillette Stadium is on Sunday, Jan. 13 at 11:05 a.m. PT. The game will be televised on CBS.

CBS Sports took the 2019 playoff bracket and went game-by-game to project the eventual Super Bowl winner. Let’s stick with the AFC. Here’s how things shook out in the Wildcard round. They picked the Colts to upset the Texans. Here’s what was said about the Chargers and Ravens game:

The last time a rookie quarterback beat a top-10 defense in a playoff game? 2008, when Joe Flacco pulled it off. I love me some Lamar Jackson, but the Chargers defense and Joey Bosa come to play in this one. I don’t believe the Ravens defense can fool Philip Rivers twice and I think we see the Chargers eek out a road win.

One thing that maybe we are not talking about enough is the fact that the Chargers will be the first team to see Lamar Jackson twice. With players knowing what to expect, you’d think we will see a different game-plan. They actually limited Jackson pretty well the last time the two teams played. All it takes is that one explosive run, though.Onto the divisional round. CBS has the Chiefs beating the Colts. Here’s what was said about the Chargers/Patriots game:UPSET TIME BABY. If the Chargers can handle the physical style of the Ravens, they can go into Foxboro and beat the Patriots. Philip Rivers owes Bill Belichick and Tom Brady a measure or two of revenge, and after getting the Chiefs monkey off his back, he can go win one in New England.

I actually don’t think the Chargers would be true underdogs in this one. If so, it won’t be by much. This would be one of those matchups that the Chargers really don’t lack anywhere or have a glaring disadvantage anywhere. I would be more surprised if the Chargers lost this one, even on the road against two of the greatest ever. CBS has the Chargers as a touchdown underdog. I don’t know about that.

Okay, so that makes Chargers versus Chiefs part three. The first two games were something else, could this time top those two? Here’s what CBS thinks:What a glorious rematch this would be. The second time these teams played was one of the best games of the year, a thrilling playoff-type matchup that had hearts pounding everywhere. Speaking of hearts, my heart says Philip Rivers can beat the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes twice in one season and my head is telling me to shut up and pick the Chiefs. This is a pre-playoffs projection, though, so I don’t have to listen to my head. Andy Reid vs. Rivers with a chance for the Super Bowl is all the narrative marbles.

This would be tough and likely where it’s easy to see the Chiefs winning. Depending on if the Chiefs are reeling. They are so streaky. Especially at home with that crowd.

Okay, so here comes the Super Bowl. CBS took the Saints over the Bears. Rivers versus Brees:EPIC SUPER BOWL. Rivers vs. Brees, the former teammates in San Diego, with Brees trying to add another layer to his Hall of Fame legacy with a second Super Bowl and Rivers trying to win his first and cement himself as a Hall of Fame player (I think he is one already, no one would be able to argue it if he won a title). The over/under for this game would be in the low 60s and these teams would get LOOSE on the big stage. This was the Super Bowl I wanted to pick before the season and I chickened out. Now I get a chance to redeem myself. And Rivers gets a chance to rewrite history, taking out the Saints for his first Super Bowl ring and a brilliant cap on an incredible career.

Whoa buddy. The intrigue in this one. There will be all sorts of points in this one. How fun would that be? The Chargers going through this gauntlet and being Super Bowl champs.

People often like to complain about millennials and I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't one of them. However, I think it's important to know that there are young and immature, yet hardworking and coach-able individuals out there.

If there's one thing that I have learned by building my business off of unpaid interns and hiring people right out of college, it's that you need to make sure you're willing to invest in them. The more I serve my team, and let them know I truly care (because I would be lost without them), the more that they deliver.

People want to feel like they are a part of something; but, you must give them something to be a part of. Communication will always be the number one tool to this success. Have weekly meetings where you review strengths, areas of opportunities, and areas for growth. Ask your team members about their goals and dreams, and then support those. Even if it means that they eventually leave you, which sometimes is the best thing for both sides, remember that little incentives go a long way. Whether it's coffee and donuts, taking them to a client meeting, or going on a trip. If your people are important to you and the success of your business, then treat them as such. I learned this the hard way a long time ago, and never made that mistake again.

Today I wanted to take the time to share a piece of advice I posted on my personal LinkedIn page. This advice is something I implemented into my habits as the President of LW, and I truly think it is something that should be a core value in any business, at any level. Monetary success is one thing, but when you truly invest in your employees, and they invest back into you, the sky isn't even the limit.

I stopped making New Year’s resolutions a long time ago. Simply because I never kept them. You all know it’s the same routine every year. The gym is packed all of January and February and then about halfway through March you can finally get on a machine without having to wait. It’s because behind those resolutions, we never define exactly why it will add value to our life or make us happy. “I want to lose 10 pounds”. Okay great, but what will losing 10 pounds do for you? Because if you have insecurities or emotional pain that you think is going to magically disappear when you weigh less and go down a size in jeans, you’re nuts. Also, in order to lose 10 pounds, you will need to dive into your current habits, and then develop a monthly, weekly, and daily strategy. Yeah, I know. This is why I never kept my resolutions past March either.

I have become a little obsessed with living my best life. Go ahead and roll your eyes, because that’s a term that you probably see on bumper stickers or every other millennial’s Instagram caption. But it’s true. This past year I got a little taste of what it feels like to operate on my highest level which led to insurmountable breakthroughs, accomplishments, and growth. I had to work hard to break habits and implement new ones; ones that I still struggle with and resist on a daily basis. But the one thing that I have figured out that works is setting a goal, defining why it is important, and then making a plan for every single day. So a few months ago I set a goal to start each and every day with a positive mindset. I began studying how others do it. This meant digging into the habits of all of the most “successful” and happy (there are a lot of people out there who reach insurmountable wealth but don’t truly enjoy it) people in the world. As these individuals have proven, I knew that if I was going to achieve my goal, I needed a plan.

Did you know that Bill Gates reads 50 book a year, Mark Cuban reads three hours per day, and Warren Buffet spends 80% of his day reading? Well, there’s one place to start. I committed to starting the day by reading something positive, journaling what I was grateful for, and then setting my intention. I knew that if I was going to actually stick to this, I needed some accountability, so I pulled my team in on it, and we began doing this together every day. Why am I talking about a goal of a morning routine and not a number of clients or level of income that I want to achieve? Because I know that none of that is worth anything unless I am in a good place. I know that when I reach those numbers (because yes, there are goals for those too), I don’t want to say “that’s it?”. I also know that when I am operating from a place of a positive mindset I put out my best work, operate from a level of abundance, and am able to consistently over deliver on client work. Remember, when you set a goal, you must define why it’s important…

As you look ahead one year from now… Yes, I know 2019 is just about to start, but I really want you to look ahead. What are the things that you want to be able to say that you did, habits that you formed, or goals that you crushed? Write that down. Now you will need to define why in the world those things matter to you, and why they help you to become the best version of yourself. Then make a plan. Monthly, weekly, daily, and maybe even hour by hour.

For those who need a little extra direction, I am sharing what my team, including myself, went through to set our 2019 goals. I truly hope that this next year is one of the most influential, mind blowing, happy, healthy, and successful years of your entire life. Cheers to 2019.

- Lauren Walsh

LW BRANDING 2019 GOAL SETTING1. What are the top 3 things that you personally want to accomplish in 2019?2. What are the top 3 things that you want to accomplish professionally in 2019?3. Now break down each of those 6 and jot down 1 action item that you will start to develop as a habit or implement NOW that will start to bring you closer to each goal.4. What is 1 thing that you want to accomplish in the next 30 days? 60 days? 90 days?5. What is 1 thing for each of those 3 that you will start to do or implement now that will help you get closer to achieving each one?6. What is your intention for the year?7. What is one healthy habit that you want to conquer in 2019?8. Imagine 365 days from now. As you sit down and reflect on your year what are the key takeaways or areas of growth that you are discussing?